Mary Etta (Madeline) Powell Nesbitt

Mary Etta (Madeline) Powell Nesbitt, born to the late James Oddie Powell and Lula Ann Powell began life on October 28th, 1925 in Ashford, North Carolina.

Madeline was educated in Morganton, North Carolina School District. She started working at a very early age to help support her family.
She was the mother of Dorothy Ann Powell before marrying Phifer Hice in 1943 which she and Phifer were the parents and her three children Dorothy “Doris” Ann Powell (Roosevelt), Phifer, Jr. “Sonny” and Rose Mary “Rosie” Hice (John).

She was a former employee of Swarthmore College, in Swarthmore, PA. She was a live-in caretaker for Dr. Roagie’s three children and the housekeeper. She was the only maintenance person on the Chester Ferry before becoming a highway helper for the Delaware Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She received her resolution as a faithfully serving employee from Delaware River Port Authority for over fourteen years of service in a conscientious and reliable manner whereas she accepted retirement under the provisions of her employment benefits therefore be it resolved that, the commissioners of Delaware River Port Authority accepter her resignation from her position as Highway Helper with the Highway Bureau effective March 4, 1988, whereas they and in currently extended sincere best wishes for a long, healthy and happy retirement as we can see Granny (Madeline) enjoyed thirty (30) full years and eight (8) full months of retirement after completing fourteen (14) years of reliable, faithful services.“Won’t He do it!” She received a double portion: Following her retirement she married Ernest Nesbitt, and helped him raise his three children, whom she loved and called her step-children: Wanda Nesbitt, Roslyn Nesbitt and the late Wayne Nesbitt.

She enjoyed a wonderful life with family, friends, playing Bingo and later with church members. In addition, Madeline was known to many as Granny, everyone’s grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Dorothy Ann Powell (Doris), her son Phifer Hice, Jr. (Sonny), her brothers: James Powell Jr., William Powell and Gorman Powell. Her sisters: Novella Bryant, Hannah Thombs, Annabelle Crippen and Zelma Hayden. Her grandson Roy Lamont Hice, her parents and husband Ernest, and Goddaughter the late Erayna Beauford. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her daughter Rose Mary Hice of Chester, PA, one sister Alma Powell, of Morganton, NC. Her granddaughter/caretaker of eighteen (18) years, following her medical condition, Julie Hice-Carter (Ernest). Marlene Rosa Hice, Navelle Hice (Donna), Jayson Hice (Kathy), Synseria Hice, Larry Hice, Sr., Kahlila D. Skipper, Gregory Johnson, Godson Michael Williams, and A host of great, great-great and great-great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, extended family and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday December 8, 2018 at Mother UAME Church, 701 E. 5th Street Wilmington, DE 19801. Viewing 10-12. Service, 12 PM.